KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mississippi State’s Craig Sword says he’s feeling fine as long as his team keeps playing the way it did Tuesday.

Sword scored 26 points to continue his successful comeback from preseason back surgery as Mississippi State relied on sizzling 3-point shooting to beat Tennessee 71-66.

“Anytime we get a win, I’m (feeling) 100 percent,” Sword quipped.

After undergoing back surgery in October, Sword missed the Bulldogs’ first five games and scored in double figures just once in his first 13 appearances. The sophomore guard now has averaged 18 points per game over his last five contests.

“It’s a day-to-day process with him,” Mississippi State coach Rick Ray said. “Sometimes he doesn’t practice. Sometimes we don’t know if he’s going to be able to go in games until he gets out there and warms up. But (Sword) is really one of the toughest players I’ve ever coached. He goes out there and gives effort every single time, whether it’s in practice or in games.”

Mississippi State (11-11, 4-5 SEC) shot 55.9 percent (19 of 34) overall and 72.7 percent (8 of 11) from 3-point range to end a string of 16 consecutive February losses. The Bulldogs hadn’t won a February game since beating South Carolina 69-67 in overtime on Feb. 29, 2012.

Sword and Fred Thomas made sure the Bulldogs ended their recent February misery. Sword shot 7 of 8 overall and 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. Thomas scored 20 points while shooting 5 of 7 overall and 4 of 5 on 3-pointers.

“We let them get hot early,” said Tennessee guard Josh Richardson, who scored a career-high 30 points. “Mississippi State’s a team where if you let them do that, it’s going to be rough.”

The Bulldogs led 63-61 in the final minute when Tennessee’s Derek Reese drove into the lane and missed a dunk attempt.